Off-Line Browsing
Not all teachers have an Internet connection available to them directly in their
classrooms. With the tremendous amount of materials available through the World Wide
Web, this can be frustrating. Off-line browsing allows you to copy pages from the web
and store them on a computer with the ability to use that information as if you were
connected directly to the Internet.
There are several other reasons for the interest in off-line browsing. If you need to use a
network during peak times, the ability to connect directly to a site when you need it may
not be possible. The need to closely monitor students' use of the Internet might be another
reason for off-line browsing. In this case, the teacher would not be concerned about
"unauthorized" browsing by students. Another reason for considering off-line browsing
might involve time considerations. Using the Internet can be very time consuming.
Restricting access to unrelated Web sites might be helpful when time constraints are
tight. (see Pulling Down Web Content for Off Line Browsing)
For an overview of off-line browsing, see this Web site .
There are several programs available that will allow you to copy Web sites for off-line
browsing. Use the links provided on our Internet Connections (see class home page) page
to locate three of these (like Web Whacker). In the space below, provide the following
information for each software package: 1) name; 2) cost; 3) platform availability; 4)
general description of what the software package can do. Please keep your descriptions
brief.
Copyright issues are of concern to those using copied web sites. Use the two links
provided (Copyright Infringement section of this site) to summarize the responsibilities
teachers have with regard to Web sites used in off-line browsing.
Briefly describe a classroom situation in which off-line browsing might be beneficial for
students. Include the following:
1) age/grade level of students; 2) specific subject matter ; 3) description of the classroom
environment; 4) the URL of a specific Web site that would be appropriate for off-line
browsing for use with this lesson; 5) a description of how the Web site would be used to
enhance the lesson.
Can you think of additional reasons for using off-line browsing? Include any other
comments or observations you may have. Please locate 3-4 additional Web sites related
to the use of off-line browsing. Try to locate articles that discuss the use of offline
browsing in the classroom. Include the URL here along with a very brief overview of the
site.
Your Name _________________________________
Your Email _________________________________